Advanced Concepts

The Advanced Concepts effort worked to "enable future Air Force missions through the discovery and demonstration of emerging revolutionary technology." Reviews of technological fields were conducted for launch, near-space, and in-space propulsion. The reviews yielded a set of key technological challenges that were of particular importance for the effort. Individual, small-scale research projects were conducted to address the key challenges. One research effort, FRC propulsion, was successfully transitioned. Several other projects including: radiometric forces for long duration flight in near-space, liquid droplet thrusters for constellation maintenance, and HEATS for responsive, high capability microsatellite operation look promising.